At 22, Lauryn Hill was already a star. Nonetheless, when the artist embarked on a new journey to motherhood in 1998, she was made into a public sacrifice.
Dating back to the 1800s, enslaved women weren’t treated with respect when it came to having children. From forced pregnancy to children being sold away, Black women were treated as public property. Fast forward centuries later, and the media’s obsession with discovering the paternity of Hill's child put her in the same position. But Hill pushed back.
Ignoring warnings that having a child would ruin her career, Hill explained that she was “motivated to find more stability and safety for myself and for my child, that definitely pushed me to disregard what appeared as limitations.”
And when “Miseducation” was released, her message couldn’t have been clearer. “It’s in all of my lyrics, that desire to see my community get out of its own way, identify and confront internal and external obstacles, and experience the heights of Love and self-Love that provoke transformation,” she added.
Hill fought back with love and the creation of one of her most impactful songs. Her love for her son is evident in the song “To Zion,” and so is her desire to see greater respect for motherhood in our own communities. Love is our most powerful weapon against racism and hatred.